Building a Culture of Belonging and Wellbeing in FE | David Malone, Calderdale College

What does it take to build a college culture where people genuinely belong, thrive, and feel supported? In this episode of The Culture & Leadership Podcast, host Guy Walker travels to Halifax to chat with David Malone, Principal and Chief Executive of Calderdale College. David shares his rapid journey through Further Education, from his early days in performing arts to leading one of West Yorkshire's most community-anchored colleges. He reveals the practical steps Calderdale College is taking to prioritize staff wellbeing, including implementing the "Investors in Diversity" framework, launching Wednesday afternoon "firebreaks," and shifting the focus from standard metrics to genuine inclusivity.

Key topics include:

• Balancing rapid college expansion with intentional culture-building
• Why adopting the FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Engagement) framework accelerated positive change
• Practical staff wellbeing initiatives: from Wednesday afternoon choirs to surprise long weekends
• Supporting staff progression, even if it means helping them grow into roles outside the organization
• Honest leadership, staying authentic, and learning from mistakes ("Black Box Thinking")

Whether you’re an aspiring FE leader, an educator, or simply passionate about community-focused leadership, this episode is packed with real-world strategies and heartfelt stories from the frontlines of Further Education.